Police officers in Ellesmere Port have been given increased stop and search powers after a spate of robberies.
Officers have been granted stop and search powers after reports of three robberies in the town . The powers, granted under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994), mean that officers can stop and search any person or vehicle they believe may be carrying weapons or causing serious violence in an area which includes the town's ASDA and B&M.
The Section 60 means officers do not require any grounds of suspicion to stop and search an individual. Cheshire Police said they would also be increasing their presence in the town and will target anyone believed to "causing disruption in the community."
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The powers will be in place until 2.59pm this afternoon. They apply to an area including the town's Westminster Estate, Town Centre and Wolverham areas.
Chief inspector Leeroy Moss, of Cheshire Police, said: "I want to reassure the public that this is just one of the ways in which we are using all the powers available to us to locate those responsible. Along with the order, there will be an additional police presence across the town and anyone believed to be causing disruption in the community will be targeted.
"With this in mind, anyone who has any concerns, please approach an officer and they will do their best to assist."
Anyone who has any information about someone carrying a weapon is urged to contact police on 101, visit the Cheshire Police website or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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